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• Souths v Wests

Souths did as much as they could in the circumstances but still missed a semi-finals berth despite scoring a bonus point 31-20 win over wooden spooners Wests at Chipsy Wood Oval in the final round game of the 2010 season.

Souths needed to win handsomely and have other results go their way, but despite their best efforts the 2009 grand finalists finished the season in sixth place.

Souths' eagerness to win came through in the first half as they scored a bonus point fourth try before the break and kept their own line intact to lead 26-6.

They continued in that vein in the second half, holding possession until eventually John Tabrett scored his second try of the game.

But that would prove to be Souths only points in the second half as Wests stepped up.

Tom Bennett intercepted a pass and made an 80 metre dash to score Wests' first try of the game and, with Souths David Feao in the bin on a yellow card for slowing the ball, the Bulldogs claimed a second through Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham.

Five minutes later the teams were once again equal when Wests Ian Aokuso was also yellow carded for slowing the ball and neither side was able to score again before fulltime.

Reds lock Van Humphries took the field for Souths in the second half in his comeback match from an ankle injury and appeared to come through in good shape.

Souths Coach Dan McKellar said: “The first half I was really happy, but the second half was a bit patchy, but we defended pretty well and managed to sneak away with the victory.

“They [Wests] played well in the second half, we just really couldn’t maintain possession and they held possession for periods of time.”

McKellar was philosophical about missing the finals.

“Turns out it is the end of the season for us so it is nice to finish with a win at home."

Wests Coach Rob Murdoch said: “I thought we came out of the blocks a little bit too slow, our urgency was probably down a little bit in the first half.

“I think we showed in the second half that we can play some football and the fact that we won the second half 14-5.”

Wests are again the wooden spooners and Murdoch said they planned to put in a big off season to prepare for 2011.

“We had a season of improvement, and we have a big off season to improve and be a lot stronger next year.”

Souths 31 (J.Tabrett 2, D. Feao, B. Hamlin, P.Kaho tries, C. Field 3 cons) d Wests 20 (S. Higginbotham, T. Bennett tries, I. Aokuso 2 cons 2 pens)

Match report by Erin Smith